2008 WUC Futsal: Update
August 25th, 2008
Opening Speech by CISCA Chairman Pedro Dias
Yesterday, August 24th, the 11th World University Futsal Championship in Koper, Slovenia was officially declared open by Dr. Rado Bohinc and Vice-Mayor Jani Bacic. The opening ceremony took place in Adria Ankaran holiday resort, where all the teams are staying. Each team was presented to the audience before the opening speeches commenced. There was a fantastic atmosphere as all the competitors, officials and volunteers came together for the first time. All the teams were proudly carrying their national flags and there was a real sense of national pride as each country paraded across the forecourt and lined up facing the stage. The FISU anthem was played before the evening's entertainment, in the form of a local dance school, who are hip-hop champions of Europe. After the entertainment and closing speeches, teams proceeded to line up for photos on the stage to remember this great occasion.
The World Championship kicks off today and the teams took the opportunity of their early arrival to get some training and finalise some tactics. Favourites Brazil, who were at a Portuguese training camp for two weeks prior to making the comparitively short trip across Europe, have been wasting no time in maximising their chances. Brazilian officials are in confident mood, but they know that their opening game against the Czech Republic is one of utmost importance. The typically flamboyant samba boys will be out to do a job and get their championship off to a flying start. South American counterparts, Uruguay, who are competing in the World University Futsal Championship for the first time, are unsure what to expect. Despite Futsal coming from Uruguay, it is Europe that is leading the way (Spain are World and European champions and have the Intercontinental Club champions - Interviu Fadesa). Uruguay will face futsal newbies France and Turkey, and Serbia, who have arguably the best talent in European Futsal among their ranks. The conditions of the tournament are excellent and the atmosphere is growing every day here in Ankaran. It promises to be a very competitive yet good spirited World Championship, and with Russia not entering, there will be a new World University Champion come the end of August. Who will it be? Most experts say Brazil, but the likes of Serbia, Portugal and Ukraine will be there or thereabouts. The overall level of competition is superb and there will be no easy matches for the supposed superpowers of futsal. Even Great Britain could sneak their way into the quarter finals!
F.r.t.l.:: Rado Bohinc, Rector of Univ. of Primoroska; Pedro Dias, EC delegate; Rado Pisot, SUSA Vice President; Petr Fousek, FIFA delegate; Fernand BOTTELBERGHS, CIC delegate
For full schedule visit www.susa.org/wufc2008.
